Mission

The mission of the Office of Public Health is to serve as the leader and authority in public health, a core element essential to VA’s ability to fulfill its mission to serve and honor the men and women who are America’s Veterans. Within VA, public health is the science and practice of promoting health and preventing disease among Veteran and VA staff populations. In this context, health can be affected by natural or human-made environments, present and past occupations, place in society, gender, and other social or individual characteristics.

Our mission is reflected in four pillars that uphold the ideals, initiatives, services, and programs within the office:

1. Surveillance and epidemiology
2. Underserved populations
3. Disease prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion
4. Public health policy and guidance

Leadership

Our mission and programs are carried out under the leadership of
Victoria J. Davey, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., Chief Officer.

Read biographies of other Public Health senior officials.